Richard Gandy

Kailyn wanted to go see Santa this year, but when we got there, it apparently was not everything she imagined it would be. She got shy and would not sit in the sleigh without her mommy. Santa was a good sport and offered to get out to stretch his legs.

Kudos to the City of McDonough. The town square looked great! After our visit with Santa, we went over to the Gritz Family Restaurant for some good home style cookin’.

Thanks to everyone that sent cards and called me on my birthday. I turned 49 this week, and I would like to take a few minutes to reflect and appreciate the people most dear to me.

First, I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful family. When I had my surgery back in November of last year, they all rallied around me. I would never have gotten the help I needed for sleep apnea had it not been for my wife. Dr. Roser said it’s usually that way; the spouse brings in the patient more often than not.

Just about everyone on my side and Jeaneane’s side of the family was there at Crawford Long Hospital the day I had my surgery. It was a long day for them. Sitting around the hospital waiting on someone to come out of surgery is just not the most fun way to spend your day.

During the first week of my recovery, I was pretty much an invalid. Jeaneane was there for me around the clock preparing my special diet of liquidy foods and making sure I took my medications at the proper time. Jeaneane’s sister, Shelbie, helped out driving me to several of the doctor appointments Jeaneane could not attend. Amy’s husband, Philip, brought me some Brunswick stew one day when I started eating more solid foods. My brother Jeffry and my mother drove up from Adel to visit a couple of weeks after I came home, since Jeffry was sick the day of my surgery. My brother-in-law, Marty, called numerous times throughout my recovery to keep up with my progress and let me know I was in his prayers.

To my family, I love you all. There’s no need to list everyone by name — you know who you are. Also, to my friends, thank you for being there for me as well. I love you all too.

I am thankful to God that I am still here and for all the things mentioned in the paragraphs above. Without the mercy of God, I would surely not be alive today. I have had a number of close calls in my life time, brushes with catastrophe if you will, and I have always been delivered. With God, all things are possible.

We celebrated Christmas Day with my side of the family at Dustin and Katie’s home south of Valdosta, GA. It was a rainy day, and I kept being drawn to the window and the landscape across the highway.

I finally went outside and grabbed a quick photo with the Canon 10D and 50mm f1.4 lens. The 10D is the older version of Canon’s new EOS 40D. This rural landscape, with the chilly rain descending upon the pine trees and cattle evokes almost a spiritual response–at least it does for me. Good to be able to go inside and enjoy the warmth of Christmas and a wonderful family!

 
The scene reminds me of the work of the great landscape painter, George Inness. Born in New York, Inness painted in many parts of the country and Europe, and a number of his paintings were of Georgia and Florida landscapes.

George Inness
Sunrise, 1887

George Inness
Georgia Pines Afternoon, 1886

George Inness
Moonlight Tarpon Springs Florida, 1892

Technorati Tags: Valdosta,Georgia,landscape photo,George Inness,Canon 10D,50mm f1.4 lens

Today is my brother’s birthday. He’s 35, the youngest of 3 children born to Robert and Geraldine Gandy. My sister Joy is next, and I’m the oldest weighing in at almost 49 years young.

This photo was taken by Julie, Jeffry’s wife, at St. Augustine beach while they were photographing Dustin and Katie’s wedding.

See Julie’s post about Jeffry’s birthday on their blog.

Jeffry usually shoots with that honkin’ Canon 70-200 2.8L lens. It’s big and heavy, but it’s one of the sharpest lenses I’ve seen. Plus, the bokeh is beautiful. Bokeh is a term for the aesthetic quality of out-of-focus areas of a photo.

Growing up, Jeffry was very enterprising. He was always fixing up an old bicycle or something to sell. Our dad would get so irritated because Jeffry would "borrow" his wrenches and not put them back in the right spot.

I always knew Jeffry would be successful. He turned out to be a well-rounded young man with a wonderful family of his own.

Happy Birthday!

I am so thankful for many things but mostly for the family God has given me. Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday. It’s generally the time of year we spend with both our families eating, talking, and playing. Jeaneane and I are both from the same hometown, Adel, GA, so when we go home for the holidays, we’re able to spend time with both sides of the family.

This year was different though. Since we were all together in St. Augustine for Dustin and Katie’s wedding the week before, and I was not feeling too great because of my surgery, we decided to spend Thanksgiving at home in McDonough. So, it was just Jeaneane and me. What to do about Thanksgiving dinner? It’s really not practical to make turkey and dressing for two people, so we thought about going out. But then the phone rang! It was Ann Sexton, our next-door neighbor.

When Ann found out we were home all alone, she offered to cook for us. She brought over turkey and dressing on her way to her family’s get-together. It was awesome! Thanks Ann. You’re the best!

Kailyn

Josh, Jessica, and Kailyn

Kailyn and Jessica

 
Photo by Josh Cash